COVID Vaccine Opens To NY's Public Workers, Sites Expand Access

NEW YORK, NY — A new group of New York's essential workers can get the coronavirus vaccine and more appointments are available across the state as of Wednesday.

Starting March 17, public-facing government, nonprofit and building workers joined the list of New Yorkers eligible for the vaccine.

"This is important," Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday. "It’s going to help us reach people who serve us and do so much for us."

The list includes public works employees, social service and child service caseworkers, government inspectors, sanitation workers, DMV workers, County Clerks, building service workers and election workers, according to the governor's office.

Perhaps one of the first to take advantage of the new eligibility was the governor himself, who got vaccinated in Harlem on Wednesday morning.

Also on Wednesday, all vaccine sites in the state will be allowed to vaccinate anyone who is eligible. Some sites had previously been limited based on geography or specific categories of eligibility.

The one exception to that rule will be pharmacies, who will be able to vaccine those 60 years and older and teachers. Pharmacies have less capability to identify underlying conditions and certain types of workers, Cuomo has said.

To check eligibility or find a vaccine site, check the state's vaccine page or call the New York State COVID-19 hotline at 833-NYS-4-VAX (833-697-4829).